Ukrainian Pilot Jailed In Russia Could 'Die Within Days'

A member of the Kremlin's human rights council has said that jailed Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko "could die within days."

Yelena Masyuk said on February 27 that she had visited Savchenko in jail the previous evening and the captive pilot's health had seriously deteriorated.

Savchenko has been on a hunger strike for nearly 80 days protesting what she calls her illegal detention and false charges brought against her.

Savchenko was captured by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine in June and taken to Russia, where she was charged with involvement in a mortar attack that killed two Russian journalists.

Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service issued a statement later on February 27 rejecting the claims by "journalist" Masyuk and claiming that Savchenko was being constantly monitored and was in no danger of dying.

The penitentiary service also questioned whether Masyuk had medical training that would allow her to comment on health issues.